To me, back to school time means making new friends, reconnecting with old ones and starting a fresh new year. Anything is possible. I admit that I feel a bit like a school girl as I begin my journey as a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal.

I turn to my Paper Crafts magazines for inspiration whenever I hit a creative wall. Every issue is filled with immeasurable ideas, but let’s not limit ourselves to the beautiful projects within the magazine. I’d love for you to take a closer look.

Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4

I can say in all honesty that Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4 blew me away. Pure creativity at every turn. How much time do you spend looking at the cover? At first glance, I notice the incredible nutcracker that Jennifer Beason created…seriously, WOW! The time and love that went into that masterpiece is obvious. Secondly, I notice the overall color scheme. It speaks to me. It’s fresh and inviting. I then notice the cuteness of Alli Miles card and how clever Claire Brennan’s tree is, and I am instantly inspired. Lastly, I read what the cover has to say. It offers everything that I want in a magazine and more.

How exactly do I use a cover to motivate my creativity? My favorite place to start is the color scheme. Hot pink, soft pink, some natural browns and beautiful shades of green…yummm.

My Mind’s Eye has a fantastic new collection called Abbey Road. The colors worked perfectly for my project. Even though this is a holiday publication, there’s no reason why I can’t create a card that is perfect for a friend, sister, co-worker, etc. for any occasion. I kept the bold green on the top, like the cover and added a graphic brown stripe in pen to help the colors pop! I pulled the orangy color from the tree’s star and the brown from the nutcracker’s face as well.

Here's my Hi There Card.

Another way to spark creativity is to take ideas from each of the featured projects. I decided to pull elements from each one to create my own unique card.

I pulled the stripes from the nutcracker, the clever ribbon triangles and scalloped edge from the tree and I stamped on a white panel and paper pieced the tree circles. I also tied a brown polka dot ribbon around the card. The nutcracker has a whimsical feel to it. I felt the same way about the curly tree, so that’s why I chose that image. I kept a similar color scheme for this card, but next time, I might choose a blue and green color scheme and create a baby card. The possibilities are truly endless.

And here's my Tweet Tweet Card.

I am thrilled that you joined me today for week one of my “Back to School” blog series. I will be back next week with another way to utilize your Paper Crafts magazines to their utmost potential.

Kim Hughes,Paper Crafts Go-to Gal

P.S. I’d love to hear ways you’ve been inspired by a Paper Crafts cover. Leave a comment and I’ll pick three winners to receive a copy of Holiday Cards & More, Volume 4. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

P.P.S. Paper Crafts just launched a new gallery challenge today! If you’re a fan on the clean & graphic look, click HERE to learn more about this fun challenge! And make sure to check back here tomorrow when Cath spotlights clean & graphic cards!

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I too am amazed by the projects on the cover! Truth be told maybe a little overwhelmed by the nutcracker!!! I think the colors- and how cute that paper pieced tree card is- are inspiring! As is your tweet card! Makes me want to go paper piece something!! 😀

After seeing the cover of this issue I’ll definitely be stalking the stores to check out this magazine (If I don’t win one!). I’d love to try and make the tree. The nutcracker is amazing and you did a fabulous job with those cards. Thank you!

I have been inspired by a lot of the paper craft covers. It is the first peek into what is inside. The Holiday covers are my favorite. They have inspired me to creating card designs. I have done some great cards over the past few years.

I think the colors do it for me – red and green traditional Christmas colors – the covers of the magazines always make me think – hey I can do something different!
Thanks for the fun and inspiration!
Sandra

The cover has actually inspired me to try different colors for my Holiday cards I always stay in the reds & greens but never brave enough to throw in another color as a matter of fact I feel a pink Christmas tree coming on 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration!

I am always on the look out for great ideas, themes, color combinations and techniques I haven’t tried before. So while browsing the magazine stand the cover has to really catch my eye because if it doesn’t then I won’t even look at what’s inside.
Last year’s Holiday Cards issue really caught my eye with that cute reindeer on the cover and I just knew that it would be full of all kinds of goodies…..I think I have half of the magazine tagged with projects that I have tried and some I have still to go…..

The magazine cover is just so inviting–of course you want to pick up the magazine and dive right in. I really enjoyed the card, but it could easily be massed produced. I like the non traditional colors of the cover as well.

I love the calmer choice of colors for the Christmas theme. And I love your take on using the inspiration and going with it on your own. Makes me look even deeper and creatively and all the ideas your magazine holds.

I just recently started papercrafting so I am always inspired by the great covers! They are always so gorgeous. I look for ideas and layouts and color schemes to help me in my new joy of papercrafting.

Hi Kim! Great first article!! Clearly you’re going to be one of the “popular” girls in your new “school.” Hahaha I always look back at my old Papercrafts Magazines to look at how others use designer paper, and most often for layout ideas. Fun ribbon treatments are another thing I look at. Hugs!

I second that WOW on the nutcracker!! 🙂 Along with the very attractive simple tree card, I was also inspired to get a head start on my handmade gift list and projects by the different headlines on the cover….I give a lot of small, handmade gifts to the dozen teachers assistants that I work with and papercrafts (and you) always make it a snap with the projects that scream, “You can do this!”
Thanks!
Kim Marie

Happy Day!!!! I love those colors on the cover.. I have an Apron to prove it!!! And, in college I wore a bright pink sweatshirt with lime green pants as one of my fave go to outfits… I know, a trend setter way before my time (it was well over 15 years ago)!!

These colors are definitely HOT…. love today’s shares, and of course Kim!!!

So how am I inspired by those colors??? I need to get a bright pink sweatshirt and lime green pants again:)

I love the use of nontraditional colors and plan on using them to make this year’s Christmas card. The nutcracker is divine and he makes me smile b/c my little girl collects them. Every year when we attend the local Nutcracker in December she buys a little one to add to her collection. It would be wonderful if I could make her one like the one on the cover.

The cover of the halloween issue inspired me; we only ever get about 30 trick or treaters, so this year, instead of the usual fistful of candy, I’ve decided to make individual treat bags for them. So simple, so cute, and an extra surprise when they get to open them up and see what kind of goodies we’ve stuffed inside! (For the curious: a tub of Play-Doh, a container of Bubble Tape, two packs of Pop Rocks, and two Chupa Chups.

Like you, I see more than the “printed page”. I love what you created from your “view” of the cover! I did the same with a cake mix box..the colors and layout struck me like lightning and I made a card for a friend. She didn’t get any cake but I told it was good!!!

Firstly, I love that tree and nutcracker!!! I *totally* love Christmas, so I’ll have to look out for that issue!!! I find that it’s the sketch of a card or the colour scheme of the issue that will inspire me. =)

well I was inspired by the footwear card. I don’t celebrate halloween but found inspiration by the green bow with the laced ribbon which looks like a dragonfly. I will create a card or embellishment for a layout with a dragonfly with a bow for wings and a body made with laced ribbon to form the tail too. thanks for sharing with us.

Kim, I LOVE your stamps! You have such a terrific style that is clean and whimsical, and perfect for paper piecing! I have made paper pieced cards with your Heart Warmers and Christmas Critters sets like the one on your cover. Thanks for the chance to win!!